Current EU President, Denmark's Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen:

This is a truly proud moment for the European Union. It is a triumph for liberty and democracy, and to our new members I say warmly welcome to our family - our new Europe is born.

European Commission President Romano Prodi:

Accession of 10 new member states will bring an end to the divisions in Europe... For the first time in history Europe will become one because unification is the free will of its people.

Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller:

Poland has taken a huge historic step, I deeply believe that our nation fully deserves this chance which opens the door for us and future generations.

Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas:

Economies of the new members will develop faster, and investment will come, we can sell our goods in Europe and we can travel and work in Europe. Europe represents a new space for opportunity for us.

Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan:

We think the double standards the EU countries apply in their political practices are not in line with contemporary values.

French President Jacques Chirac:

One cannot but think this evening of the victims of the numerous wars of the 20th Century, the absurd deaths... the victims of anti-Semitism and racism, of all the catastrophes... and man's folly.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair:

When we look back at the history of Europe... and we reflect back on all the war and conflict, we realise that we are reuniting Europe. It is a day we can truly be proud of.

White House statement:

The European Union's decision further unites the new and the established democracies of Europe, and advances the creation of a Europe whole, free and at peace.